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I just found out that my furnace is going south. It seems the heat exchange has a crack in it. Both units were replaced in '86 so they suggest replacing both units now. After the repair guy told me about the dual stage unit, which I like, added up parts and labor for a furnace, a/c unit, humidifier combo, the total was just over $7,000 This seems very expensive to me. Is this the going rate for a heating/cooling combo these days? Anybody in the K.C. area do side work that could beat this price?

You don't want to shop on price alone...
You want to shop for a quality contractor with good referances and is recommended by friends or family...
If you shop on price alone, you may end up with a system similar to kcrossley(look for the trane 16I post) or possibly even worse...

Installation is key and standing behind the system after the installation...
Get referances from friends and family and check the companies out closely,, if one company is quite abit cheaper than the other then there is probably a reason.. Do not price shop for the lowest bid, shop for a quality system installed by a quality contractor...

Un-Licensed Heating and Cooling is pleased to submit the following proposal for your review:

Installation of two furnaces to accomodate your home at xxx Main St. We agree to size the two units exactly the same as the guy before us did. We will not do a load calculation on your home nor an inspection of the the ductwork, efficiecy is highly over-rated. We will guarentee our work until the check clears. If you have a problem with your system next week call the "over-priced" contractor that provided insurance, bond, licensing, load calculations, warranty, and a solid reputation for about $x,xxx more than our proposal.

Please forgive me for not following the rules, I didn't mean any harm. I wasn't asking for an exact quote, just wanted to show the estimate they gave me to see if that was in the ballpark for a complete system. I understand buying these items is like buying a car, it just depends what options, kind of warranty, brand, etc. and the price will show accordingly. I was really just trying to see if this was the going rate. I'll go back to the phone book and won't trouble you gentlemen any longer.

BTW: Who said the heat exchanger was cracked? Did they document the exact location(s) of the crack? Did they show you? Has anyone else confirmed the existence of those cracks?

My guess would be that ten or twenty percent of all cracked heat exchanger diagnoses are bogus. A heat exchanger may not, but it can last much longer than 20 years. I can't speak for your area. But our local utility does a free safety inspection. While I happen to think very lowly of the typical local utility man's skills, they are useful for confirming the existence of a crack if you tell them exactly where it supposedly is in advance.

Originally posted by Irascible BTW: Who said the heat exchanger was cracked? Did they document the exact location(s) of the crack? Did they show you? Has anyone else confirmed the existence of those cracks?

A very well known HVAC company that has serviced this house for years sent a tech this morning to look at the blower. After be removed a small piece of debris from the blower it was fine. He then checked the burners and noticed that, when the blower came on, the flame on one of the burners was "rolling out the bottom" He then said the exchange was cracked and, with a unit 20 years old, it's just a matter of time before it fails which could release carbonmonoxide into the house.

Hmm. I'm still skeptical. But then again, I'm always skeptical. You can't imagine how many well known HVAC contractors have sold out to the almighty dollar. Do they say or even think to themselves that they're crooked? Of course not. The ALL think they're good, even as they twist the knife they placed in your back.

Personally I'd call a second contractor out on that furnace (try to find a good one!). Simply tell them that a buddy noticed something odd about the flame and that you'd like to know what's causing it. If the flame is really goofing up like you say, they'll have no trouble seeing it. If the second contractor attributes it to a cracked heat exchanger, you'll have your confirmation. Plus you'll have a feel for that company's tradesmen (which can be very different than dealing with their salesmen) and know if you want a bid from them. If you're going to spend many thousands, why not spend another $100 to see that it's justified?

Iam getting sooooooooo tired of hearing about us being expensive, money, money, money, I had a lady call yesterday, she calls from a condo devolpement I rake care of most of the place, when the h.o.'s call the management they say to call me, well the lady is from England, she called me when she first moved in last year, upsatirs hot, told her can adjust dampers a little, she *****ed about me being there for 35 mins. and charging $100.00 she didnt beliveme called another co. they said samr thing, now she called gas co. they came out $160.00 labor $50.00 ignitor. She calls me and says the management rec. me and she had trouble with a/c, then says Gas Co. charge me $160- for labor and there crooks who the hell is worthy that and she now wants me as her HVAC Contractor, and how much do you charge I tell her I would have charged her $150.00 overtime then she says how outrageous it is what we charge, and says Iam in the wrong busineess, that you guys arent worth that much, then says can I come out in spring to check a/c, I tell her your not the type of customer I would want, and she insulted me call someone else. Sorry guys just venting, a week ago a lady saysyou should be driving a Porsche for a van, also lost another job to a guy $500.00 cheaper did it on the side, you should have seen the replacement, HACK JOB. You state can anybody on the side do it, what do you do for work? You come on here and insult us and our trade, cheap bastard.